Being one of the most beautiful places in Burma, it is no surprise that the Inle Lake attracts a large number of travelers. At the north end of the lake, Nyaungshwe is the usual base to explore the lake. Not directly going to Nyaungshwe, buses and trains get to the main town of Shwenyaung 11 km far away, from which you can find plenty of local buses or taxis to Nyaungshwe.
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How to get from Yangon to Inle Lake -source: internet
If you are traveling from Yangon to the Inle Lake, first take a Rangoon express train to Thazi and stay overnight, then travel to Shwenyaung by either far the better option, on an absolutely amazing scenic ride on the Slow Train From Thazi or bus taking 4-5 hours on bad roads. The train ride should be the highlight of your trip! The distance between Thazi and Kalaw is 197km (123 miles), between Thazi and Shwenyaung is 247km (154 miles).
From Yangon, you can choose one of several options. In spite of running direct from Yangon to Kalaw & Shwenyaung, train 9/141 is a very slow train without sleeping-car, just upper class reclining seats. It is a good idea to get on express train number 5 with sleeping-car leaving Yangon at 15:00 reaching Thazi at 02:08, and to change onto train number 143 getting out of Thazi at 05:00 for Kalaw & Shwenyaung.
1st class seats on the slow train from Thazi- source: internet
Or even better, you can get on train number 3 with sleeping-car leaving Yangon at 17:00 and arriving Thazi at 04:55, change onto train number 141 getting out of Thazi at 07:00 and arriving at Kalaw & Shwenyaung. Alternatively, to travel earlier, you can take express train number 11 leaving Yangon at 06:00 and arriving Thazi at 18:12. Then, spend an amazing night’s sleeping in the Moonlight guesthouse in Thazi and the next morning, continue on either train 143 leaving at 07:00 or train 141 leaving at 05:00 for Kalaw & Shwenyaung, an interesting scenic ride on the Slow Train from Thazi. The choice is yours.
The Slow Train from Thazi -source: internet
When getting there, you are unlikely to have any difficulties purchasing a ticket for the Slow Train to Shwenyaung at Thazi ticket office. While you change trains, the Red Star restaurant in Thazi, where the station approach joins the main road, is a good place to have meal. At Thazi station, a deluxe waiting room for international travelers is also available for $1 per person.
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Once arriving at Shwenyaung station, you can either take a 15 minute walk or take a taxi for 1,000 Kyat along the main road to the Tuk Tuk stop for Nyaungshwe. Running directly from the railway station to any hotels in downtown Nyaungshwe, each tuk tuk costs about 8,000 Kyat.
2nd class on the slow train from Thazi- source: internet
Before entering Nyaungshwe, foreigners have to pay for a 13,000 kyat entrance for the Inle Lake region. As guesthouses and hotels can sell out, make sure to reserve accommodation as soon as possible and to confirm it a week before your arrival if you are visiting Nyaungshwe during the high season.
What is the journey like?
Train view- source: internet
Although traveling by bus may be faster, the Slow Train from Thazi must be an awesome experience which should not be missed. Stock up on beer and mineral water, recline in your Upper class armchair and then admire the spectacular scenery passing by through wide open windows at just 15-20 mph.
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